The Inheritance

Set in 19th-century England and America, Johnston's latest release after Outlaw's Bride is like thin soup: all the ingredients are there, but it just isn't satisfying. Liberally dosed with romantic cliches, the watery plot revolves around Texas rancher Nicholas Calloway who, as a child, had been disowned by his father, the Duke of Severn. A nasty rumor-and Nick's unusual coloring-had the Duke believing Nick was not his natural son. Twenty-some-odd years later, Nick is the only living heir to his father's vast English estate. Although the bitter young man is only interested in the money the sale of Severn Manor will bring, Daisy, the former Duchess of Severn and his cousin's widow, will do anything, including offering herself in marriage to Nick, to keep the estate intact. Johnston, who does short contemporary westerns to perfection, can't seem to create the same page-turning qualities in this much longer historical. Even Nick's search for his true parentage-the only bit of tension in the story, loses punch when Johnston immediately introduces her readers to the character who holds the key to the mystery, then lets her hero ignore the obvious. In short, not much here to sink your teeth into. (Jan.)